PLEASANT HARBOR: A Course with a View

* Once complete, the links at Brinnon will offer golf for all levels in a scenic setting

For 5-1/2 years, Chuck and Betty Finnila have owned and maintained Pleasant Harbor Marina, a 300-slip moorage on a tiny, deep-water inlet in the quiet, lazy town of Brinnon, 15 minutes south of Quilcene.

Longtime boaters who grew fond of the lifestyle, the Finnilas thought owning a marina would be a nice, quiet way to enjoy a semiretired life.

They didn't expect 12-hour workdays but have become accustomed to the daily pace and still enjoy spending their time out on the water.

Soon, their days will become even longer.

In September 1997, a plot of neighboring land became available when a nearby 500-unit campground closed for business. The land is known as the Black Point area, with about 90 residential homes nearby.

The Finnilas purchased the land in January 1998, originally just to protect the marina.

But when they had a chance to walk the property, an idea came to mind.

"It seemed like a natural for a golf course," Betty Finnila said.

The Finnilas contacted Peter Thompson, course designer of state-renowned Indian Summer Golf & Country Club in Olympia and the new Vicwood Golf Links in Lacey. An impassioned Thompson was ready to start work the day he first surveyed the 220-acre tract.

"I knew Peter was excited," Chuck Finnila said. "He made a comment about being able to build this course here that is similar to Golden Pebble Beach, and how excited he was to be able to build this course here in Washington."

The Dalian Golden Pebble Beach Golf Club is on the eastern shoreline of China - a magnificent landscape where Thompson created a par-72, 5,213-yard links course in a mostly mild climate similar to Pleasant Harbor.

To avoid confusion with the Pebble Beach Club in California, the name of the course in China has been changed to Dalian Jin Shi Tan Golf Club.

The Course at Pleasant Harbor will play along the western coastline of the Hood Canal, offering one of the most scenic and spectacular views in the golf-rich West Sound area.

"The management folks joked we'll need to have additional marshals helping to continue play with people stopping to enjoy the view," Chuck Finnila said.

The first hole will provide a dramatic starting point - a par-4 playing about 400 yards from an elevated tee box toward the canal.

The seventh hole, a long par-5 dogleg right, will have the most panoramic view on the course. From the tee box, golfers will have a good view of the Olympics to the west, Mount Baker in the distance to the north, a hint of Mount Rainier to the south and a breathtaking view of Hood Canal to the east.

So far, the center lines for the fairways have been cleared, and areas for greens and tee boxes have been marked.

The Course at Pleasant Harbor's projected opening date is March 2001. It will play at about 6,500 yards from the back tees. Most holes will have elevated tees.

Chuck Finnila said he chose Thompson because he has designed courses playable by all levels of competence. This course will have some challenging holes but also will include forward-friendly tees, making play an enjoyable experience for players of all abilities. Carts will be mandatory.

With the course located on the Olympics' leeward side, the "rain shadow" effect brings some of the area's best weather.

"We're real pleased how it's been designed by Peter to make it as user-friendly as possible," Chuck Finnila said. "He was the best designer who could handle this type of topography."

Once open, the course will be accessible to the public. A resort course boat membership also will be available.

The existing clubhouse facility will be augmented to include a larger clubhouse with full-service dining. There's a heated pool on the property already, and an athletic club with a spa that will be tied in with the pro shop by a glassed-in bridge is in the works.

Up from the marina next to the golf course, the Finnilas plan to build a 150-person hotel and a fine-dining restaurant. Both should be ready before the course opens.

They also have houseboat rentals for two available down at the marina and have plans for RV hook-ups as well.

"We're really looking for people coming for that resort experience," Chuck Finnila said.

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